09/05/2026
🍁🍂🍃September has arrived, and that means it is time for many of us to start thinking about WINTER SHELTERS! If last year's shelters look good, check the STRAW and if needed, replace it. And if you are doing that, go ahead and wipe down the inside.
Then consider if any upgrades are needed...
*️⃣Like placing bricks or paver stones to raise it off the ground thus keeping rain water out. NOTE: While we suggest keeping the bottom of shelter at least 4” from the ground, if elevated ensure there is no open spare (like a pallet) under it. That will allow heat to escape. Remember…a solid object will not allow heat to escape.
*️⃣Adding a flap to keep out rain, snow, and things that the wind blows in.
*️⃣If you entrance hole is too close to the bottom edge, you should raise the shelter off the ground…OR…just flip the shelter over so that the hole is higher, and the lid is now the base. The cats can still get in!
*️⃣If using a larger shelter, place the entrance hole in the center. This design enables two cats to share the space, curling up at each end and any breeze coming in will not blow right on them. And adding a flap would cut down on the cold breezes!
*️⃣If using plastic totes, line the inside with Mylar or Mylar insulation. And if all you have is a Styrofoam box, that will help a lot to keep one or more cats warm. If you can attach some Mylar sheeting to the inside roof and even just one side, that will help.
*️⃣If you have 2 small Styrofoam coolers, try attaching them together. It will be fine if it is not as tall as the others and may actaully keep the cats warmer. The final result may not look pretty, but the cats won't mind!
Sprinkling some catnip inside the shelter may entice the cats to enter the shelters, and sprinkling a bit of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) inside and just outside the entrance hole to help with flea control.
OUTSIDE SURFACE: If your shelters will be in an area that is easily seen by humans, spray painting any that stand out makes them less noticeable.
HOLE SIZE:
Cats can usually get inside or outside of anything that is large enough for their head.
That is why a single 5-1/2” or 6” hole is recommended.
FACT: Nearly all of the experts in the care of community cats agree that one entrance/exit hole is best. This from the internet: “Community cats are rarely killed inside single-entrance winter shelters. Major feral cat advocacy organizations recommend a single, small entry hole (about 5.5 to 6 inches wide) because it maximizes heat retention, blocks cold drafts, and physically bars larger predators from entering." However, we do acknowledge that this is controversial.
….Another fact is that predators do not seem keen on sticking their head into an area when they do not know what is in there... so they don't.
TO ROOF OR NOT TO ROOF:
Placing (and securing) a roof that rests on 2-3 shelters creates a dry space between them, as well as a place where a food and water bowl can be placed so the cats do not have to get drenched in freezing weather as they try to get to their regular feeding area.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
If all you can do is get a sturdy cardboard box, cut an entrance hole and cover it with a plastic trash bag (preferably black) using duct tape to keep it dry, and add some straw, then know that it might just save the life of one or two cats. We do what we can.
And ALWAYS use STRAW and not hay, blankets, towels, or pillows as they retain moisture and can freeze and result in the cat getting hypothermia and freezing to death.
🙏We want to thank TNRTexas.com for these suggestions and some of the photos.
